Indiana MPOs Gather to Discuss Transportation Planning

Transportation planners and engineers from MPOs around the state of Indiana gathered for a two-day conference at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana in October 2015. Representatives from the state Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) were also in attendance to focus on how Indiana MPOs can help redefine transportation to create healthier, active communities.

Greg Katter, PE, INDOT Acting Traffic Statistics Supervisor, was one of the expert speakers. Mr. Katter’s presentation titled “Cloud Based Transportation Data Management” focused on the state’s use of MS2’s Transportation Data Management System (TDMS).

INDOT is actively supporting and encouraging all Indiana MPOs in their efforts to upload regional traffic count data (24 or 48-hour data collected by pneumatic tubes) into the state-wide data portal (http://indot.ms2soft.com). Once uploaded into the application, MPOs can use the application to manage and analyze their locally collected data.

According to Katter’s presentation, MS2’s TDMS provides “access to detailed raw count data as well as Annual Average Daily Traffic statistics, faster answers, faster feedback to collectors, provides wider access and self-service.” Using the software, “analysts are free to improve data quality” which benefits engineers, modelers, planners and the public.

The stated mission of the Indiana MPO conference was “redefining transportation for the 21st Century.” It is clear that INDOT’s approach to transportation data sharing and open public access is a step in the right direction.